How To Ride Your Street Motorcycle in Gravel

Tips for riding in reduced traction situations

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At some point in your street motorcycling life you’ll find yourself faced with riding in gravel. Roadside pullouts that are not paved and road construction are the two most common scenarios where you’ll encounter loose rocks and/or dirt and sand.

Another common gravel scenario (one where you could kick yourself for not asking about ahead of time) happens when you've arrived at that cute B&B or lodge where you had planned to stay only to be faced with a long, deep gravel driveway.

Gravel happens. Street motorcyclists rarely choose to ride in gravel. You can choose to turn around, but that’s not always an option. You need to be able to get through it in one piece. (Experienced rider tip: when making lodging reservations, always ask if there is any gravel on which you must travel to get there.)

Seasoned motorcycle riders know that riding in gravel is inevitable. So learning to be comfortable riding through it is part of becoming a better rider.

Whether it’s gravel, dirt, sand, grass, or any slick surface, the same rules apply. You want to minimize the motorcycle’s lean and abstain from any sudden input such as braking, accelerating, or swerving.

I’ll say it again:

Minimize the motorcycle’s lean and abstain from any sudden input such as braking, accelerating, or swerving.

There are all types of gravel conditions. Part of deciding to ride through gravel is assessing the kind of terrain you’re faced with. Hard packed gravel is best. Loose sand is the worst. Here I am powering through relatively evenly packed-down gravel.

Terrain like this can be deceiving. It’s mostly packed dirt and sand, but this kind of gravel requires constant scanning for mounds of sand and stones that have formed which can be more difficult to ride through because of the lack of traction, and possibly have you experience a rear tire spin out.

When we lose traction, defined as the “grip of a tire on a road,” it’s easy to lose control of the motorcycle. But don’t lose your head.

If your motorcycle is already in motion and you come up to a patch of gravel in the road, don’t panic. It’s best to maintain the momentum the motorcycle already has and slow down gradually, with very light use of both brakes. Your tires will slide easily, even on a light gravel surface, so if you brake too hard too fast you’ll likely produce a skid, lose control of the motorcycle and you may go down.

Roadside pullouts laden with gravel are actually a good place to practice your gravel riding skills because, so long as there’s no drop or gap between the pavement and gravel, you can stay headed in one direction as you enter and exit the pullout while practicing smooth throttle control.

When the road ahead promises miles of gravel, you can turn around and find another route, or you can use these techniques to get through it.

Physically:

Keep your arms and shoulders relaxed, and steer the bike without fighting against it.

Use a gradual throttle roll-on to accelerate and maintain a steady speed, which will most likely be a reduced speed. Try not to stop, but if you have to, start out again by using very light, gradual acceleration, so your tires don't spin out.

Keep the motorcycle as straight up as possible, that is minimize lean, which may mean taking wide turns and using most of the road.

Keep as much distance between you and other vehicles as possible to allow yourself a lot of extra room to gradually slow down to a stop.

Remember the rule that you go where you’re looking, so avoid looking down. Stay focused on where you want to ride to, but continually scanning near and far, checking the road surface conditions so you’re aware of any big rocks or potholes to avoid. Looking far ahead will keep you heading in the right direction.

Remember to breathe slowly with controlled breaths to keep your body calm so you don’t tense up. WRN founder Genevieve Schmitt advises using a Pilates breath. “I’m a Pilates instructor so I’m always using my 'Pilates breath' to get me through tense situations calmly—like riding in gravel. Pilates breath is done by breathing in through the nose, and out through the mouth. This kind of breathing is best for controlling your breathing pattern so your body stays calm. The calmer you are, the more your mind will remember what to do so your body can respond appropriately to move you through the gravel successfully.

Mentally:

Tell yourself you will get through this.

Listen to your inner voice. If you’re feeling confident then go for it. If the voice in your head says to turn around and you can, then listen to it.

Don’t allow any negative thoughts to invade your brain like how bad it is to ride through gravel or that you will fall. If you employ the above techniques, you’re likely to power right through and be celebrating that you did so before you know it.

On a motorcycle trip of Northern New Mexico a few years ago, Genevieve and I encountered a gravel roadway unexpectedly. We lowered our speed, used the techniques above and found ourselves still smiling after 20-some-odd miles of it.

A roadside selfie celebrating our gravel ride.

Seasoned street motorcycle riders know riding in gravel is inevitable. If you ride any long distances at all, you’ll likely hit upon road construction where fresh gravel has been laid for future pavement. It’s not a matter of avoidance, but a matter of learning to ride through it.

Reader Comments

Love your advice. My gravel driveway is slanted from right (highside) to left (low side.) It's like having one leg shorter than the other leg. Problem is, my bike is in my car shed and to get it out the safest way it's all gravel. I have to back it out of the shed starting out straight then start turning front wheel and go backwards down the hill then when I'm out enough, I throttle up the hill while making a sharp turn to right then straighten up. It is such a stressful procedure. Any advice on backing up while going backwards downhill in gravel? Thanks.

Helen
Monterey, TN
Friday, September 1, 2017

Editor Response

Slow and steady. Keep bike in first gear, while pulling in the clutch. Let your front brake ease you down so you can keep both feet on the ground. Then when you're ready to go forward, ease out the clutch while rolling on the throttle. The key is slow and steady though so as not to make any sudden moves. Move your feet slowly to ensure you have solid footing every few inches as you go backward. Keep both feet on the ground. Since you're having success, sounds like you're already doing this. Keep it going!Genevieve Schmitt, Editor at Large

You forgot the part where you get off and kiss the pavement once you make it (safely) to stable ground!

Cait
Costa Mesa, CA
Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Editor Response

You're right, we did forget that part!Tricia Szulewski, Assistant Editor

A couple of years ago I hit a 9-mile stretch of construction. It was capped off by about 300 yards of deep pea gravel. I was riding my Gold Wing at the time, normally a very well-behaved street bike that absolutely hates gravel.

I did exactly what you recommend—kept it loose, rode slowly, and didn't make any sudden changes other than the frantic waving at the Harley rider I could see coming up fast in my rear view mirror to slow down! We both got through it OK and immediately both pulled over for a breather after we got back on pavement. We shared one of those "I don't care what you ride, that was ridiculous" moments that knows no brand boundaries. It was one of moments you hated while you were in it and love to talk about afterwards.

Good article; I tagged my wife to read it, since she went down on a dirt road (where the pavement ended with no warning!) a couple of years ago.

Ross E Schacher
Bristol, VT
Monday, August 28, 2017

Editor Response

Glad you made it through that experience in one piece, Ross! Thank you for sharing with your wife. We have lots of other great riding tips in our Riding Right section as well.Tricia Szulewski, Assistant Editor

I've gotten used to gravel and dirt. And I have found that despite what most people are saying, you can use your front brake. You just can't use it like you normally do. If I don't use my front brake on my steep dirt and gravel driveway, I would end up having to use too much rear brake. That causes the rear wheel to skid a bit on the rocks. Not a good thing. And if you have ABS, you may end up on the ground.

Dee Gutierrez

Monday, August 28, 2017

Editor Response

Thank you for pointing this out, Dee. It's important that everyone understands that the front brake is needed on gravel and dirt as it is on pavement. Never ignore either of your brakes, just learn how to apply them properly.Tricia Szulewski, Assistant Editor

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